Pentagon Proposes Renaming DoD to Department of War

The Pentagon has submitted a legislative proposal to Congress this month, requesting authorization to officially rename the Department of Defense as the Department of War and update approximately 7,600 provisions of federal law. The change would also retitle the Secretary of Defense as Secretary of War, along with related adjustments to acronyms and references throughout U.S. statutes.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last September authorizing the new name for use in nonstatutory communications, such as signage, websites, and letterhead. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth followed with guidance in October directing the department to implement the updates. The Pentagon has already modified its website and social media accounts to reflect the designation, and Hegseth's office door nameplate now reads "Secretary of War." However, a presidential directive cannot alter statutory names, which require congressional approval.

The department estimates the full implementation will cost about $52 million, with allocations including $44.6 million for defense agencies and field activities, $3.5 million for military departments, $3 million for Hegseth's office and headquarters...